Filters:

There are some good one-liners and offbeat moments but the goal is more to provoke chuckles than guffaws.

Kids will appreciate what this has to offer. It provides a less fulfilling experience for older viewers, who may be diverted but are unlikely to be enthralled.

With expertly crafted high seas disaster sequences, "The Finest Hours" feels more like a summer spectacle than a winter throw-away.

Run Time: 1:47
U.S. Release Date: 2016-01-22
MPAA Rating: "R" (Violence, Nudity, Disturbing Images)
Genre: Drama
Director: Laszlo Nemes
Cast: Geza Rohrig, Jerzy Walczak, Sandor Zsoter, Levente Molnar

"Son of Saul" is a powerful achievement but I don’t think I could sit through it more than once.

There seems to be little reason to see "The 5th Wave" unless you’re a fan of unfinished stories that likely will never be completed.

The movie is imperfect and overlong but it’s never boring.

Run Time: 1:30
U.S. Release Date: 2016-01-08
MPAA Rating: "R" (Profanity, Nudity, Sexual Content)
Genre: Animated/Drama
Director: Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson
Cast: Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Thewlis, Tom Noonan

Charlie Kaufman at his best and worst, but at the very least a discussion-worthy animated feature.

Run Time: 1:34
U.S. Release Date: 2016-01-08
MPAA Rating: "PG-13" (Violence, Disturbing Images, Profanity)
Genre: Horror
Director: Jason Zada
Cast: Natalie Dormer, Taylor Kinney, Yukiyoshi Ozawa

There will be worse titles released in 2016 but mediocrity of this sort isn’t an inspired way to start the new year.

Run Time: 1:53
U.S. Release Date: 2015-12-25
MPAA Rating: "PG-13" (Violence, Profanity, Sexual Content)
Genre: Thriller
Director: Ericson Core
Cast: Luke Bracey, Edgar Ramirez, Ray Winstone, Teresa Palmer, Delroy Lindo

Analyzed on its own merits or in concert with the earlier film, "Point Break" doesn’t work.

The story is quirky and offbeat but the dialogue and acting set Joy up as an engaging late-year repast.